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The FIFA Statutes: Football's constitution

The Statutes and the Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes represent the 'constitution' of FIFA and world football. These documents and the key values of authenticity, integrity, performance and unity underpin FIFA's mission: to develop the game, touch the world and build a better future.

According to the Statutes, FIFA's objectives are:

• to improve the game of football constantly and promote it globally;
• to organise its own international competitions;
• to draw up regulations and provisions and ensure their enforcement;
• to control every type of association football;
• to safeguard the integrity of matches and competitions and prevent abuse.

FIFA also vigorously combats racism or discrimination of any kind, promotes friendly relations between every person and organisation involved in the game and obliges them to observe the Statutes, regulations and principles of fair play. FIFA also provides the necessary institutional means to resolve disputes. The Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes and the Standing Orders of the Congress are an integral part of the Statutes.

The FIFA Congress - football's parliamentAccording to the statutes, the FIFA Congress is the organisation's supreme body. Numerous articles dictate which items are to be discussed and which decisions are to be passed at this forum. As the legislative body of world football - football's parliament, in other words - the Congress bears a particular responsibility for developing the game, the nature of which has been subject to increasingly rapid change over the past few years. Each member has one vote at the Congress.

What decisions may the Congress take?The Congress...

• decides whether to admit, suspend or expel a member;
• stipulates the location of FIFA's headquarters (in Zurich since 1932);
• may award the title of Honorary President, Honorary Vice-President or Honorary Member;
• is responsible for amending the Statutes, the Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes and the Standing Orders of the Congress;
• may remove a FIFA Executive Committee member from office;
• approves the balance sheet and income statement;
• approves the Activity Report;
• elects the President every four years.

The FIFA President has an important function during the Congress: he presides over it and ensures that the debates are properly conducted. After the Congress, he is then responsible for ensuring that the decisions passed are implemented.

Who may vote?Article 23 of the FIFA Statutes: Vote, delegates, observers

1. Each Member has one vote in the Congress and is represented by its
delegates. Only the Members present are entitled to vote. Voting by
proxy or by letter is not permitted.

2. Delegates must belong to the Member Association that they represent
and be appointed by the appropriate body of that Association.

3. Confederation delegates may take part in the Congress as observers.

4. During their term of office, members of the Executive Committee
may not be appointed as delegates for their Association.

5. The President shall conduct the Congress business in compliance
with the Standing Orders of the Congress.